JEDDAH: More than 2 million pilgrims have arrived in Makkah to perform Umrah and visit the Grand Mosque.
According to the weekly Umrah Index, 2,555,201 Umrah visas were issued until Jan. 5, 2019 and a total of 2,183,031 pilgrims visited Saudi Arabia.
Government and private sector entities in Makkah are providing first-class services to the worshippers under the supervision of Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and his deputy, Prince Badr bin Sultan.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has intensified its services around the clock, including cleaning, maintenance and operation works in the Mataf, the Masaa, the vault, King Fahd’s Expansion, and all the mosque’s levels and compounds.
A guidance service educates pilgrims and visitors on religious matters, and guides them in the proper performance of their rituals. Workshops are held for high-level dignitaries, scholars and lecturers, and Friday sermons are translated into several languages.
Several teams and committees have been formed to monitor markets, food shops and restaurants.
Special security forces at the Grand Mosque have implemented plans for this year’s Umrah season to provide humanitarian, organizational and guidance services to pilgrims.
Pilgrims have expressed their satisfaction with services provided inside the Grand Mosque and its compounds, saying they were able to perform their duties with ease, comfort and in safety.
Saudi government, private sectors intensify Umrah efforts
Saudi government, private sectors intensify Umrah efforts
- Most pilgrims — 1,991,448 — came to Saudi Arabia by air, while 184,580 entered by land and 7,003 arrived by sea
Saudi foreign minister discusses Gaza and West Bank situation with Palestinian vice president
- Talks included the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza’s residents and Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire there
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank during a meeting with the Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Talks included the dire humanitarian conditions faced by Gaza’s residents, Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire there, and the Israeli escalation in the West Bank, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two officials highlighted the importance of ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, releasing Palestinian Authority funds, protecting the Palestinian banking system, the implementation of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, and the Kingdom’s support for a reform program launched by President Mahmoud Abbas.
They also discussed continuing efforts to ensure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the formation of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
